# NTSB SEA91LA244: Grumman G-44, N63350, Metaline Falls, WA, September 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1991, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Metaline Falls, WA
- Coordinates: 48.890117, -117.210205 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8901&lon=-117.2102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41542
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41542/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA244

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT USE OF THE PARKING BRAKE.  A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ABSENCE OF THE PARKING BRAKE ON THE LANDING CHECKLIST.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - landing gear,parking brake - engaged
  - parking brakes - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - condition(s)/step(s) not listed, manufacturer (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN LANDED ON THE LAKE AND MOORED CLOSE TO SHORE IN SHALLOW WATER.  THE PILOT HAD SET THE PARKING BRAKE WITH THE WHEELS EXTENDED TO STABILIZE THE AIRCRAFT AT THE MOORING SITE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPOSITIONED TO A NEARBY AIRSTRIP.  THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT DISENGAGED PRIOR TO THE TOUCHDOWN AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL.  THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL DID NOT ADDRESS THE POSSIBILITY OF LANDING WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63350](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63350), registered now, S/N 1387, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-44
- Registry model: [Grumman G-44](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-44) (registry code 3951502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1387
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-B1D 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eugene & J'Ann Riggs
- Registered owner: Eugene & J'Ann Riggs
- Departed: 09S
- Destination: 09S
- Airport: 09S, Sullivan Lake State, runway 16, 1,900 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 18,844 total, 517 in this make and model, 14,900 as pilot in command, 134 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910907044549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910907044549A), Sep 7, 1991: Gulstm G44, Metaline Falls, WA, Substantial damage. Set amphibian parking brake at mooring. Overlooked brake on for landing at airport. Veered off runway. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N63350 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC74AA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74AA031), Sep 8, 1973: Grumman G-44S (N63350), Farewell, AK, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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